New CRT Owner Looking For Advice

[gamepimp]

Hi all. I picked up a Sony Trinitron TV a few weeks ago and would like to hook up a PC so I can run GroovyMAME and other emulators. The TV has component input and does 480p. It looks like the ATI video cards are the way to go with CRT Emudriver right? If that's my best option, what is the preferred card out of the bunch? The PC I want to use is in a small form factor case, so ideally the card would need to be low profile. That said, if the best card is the standard height I do have a regular PC case I can swap the internals to. I assume I will also need a VGA to component transcoder like the Retrotek VGACTV1? Unfortunately the eBay seller who sells those devices doesn't seem to have any more. Is there an alternative to that? I would greatly appreciate any recommendations and advice on this stuff. I've heard great things about GroovyMAME and would finally like a chance to put it to use. 

[krick]

For best results with GroovyMAME and CRT Emudriver 2.0, you should get a Radeon HD 5xxx or newer card.

With regards to the low-profile requirement here's a slightly old thread where people discuss them...

Newest Supported LOW PROFILE Video card?
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,152767.msg1599390.html

[gamepimp]

Thanks for the info. I see in this thread (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,160366.0.html) that Calamity mentions the R5 200 series of cards as having analog output. I’m looking at the R5 230 card which is low profile. Would this be a suitable card? If so, would I just need a VGA to component cable to connect to my TV?

[krick]

I believe the Radeon R5 230 (Caicos Pro) is in the same family as the Radeon HD 5xxx series.  It's not GCN (Graphics Core Next) if that matters to you.  I think the main draw of GCN cards is that they will continue to be supported going forward and anything pre-GCN is end-of-life.

I really like the Radeon HD 77xx series and the R7 series but they tend to be kind of expensive, especially for low-profile models, if you can even find someone selling one (used).

I don't really know much about running GroovyMAME on a TV via component.  You should probably revise the title of your original post to provide that information so people can see what you're trying to do before clicking on your thread.

Make sure you update your original post with details about your hardware, monitor (include the model number), operating system choice, etc...  The more specific details you provide about what you have and what you're trying to do, the better the responses will be.

[SteelRush]

The R5 240/250/260 is GCN and low profile options are available.

You mentioned your TV takes 480p.  This will require all 15khz games to be upscaled.  If an authentic picture with scanlines is your intention, bear this in mind.  If you provide the TV model number, we can confirm the resolution.

[gamepimp]

I will check out those other R5 cards. The model # of my TV is KV-36XBR450. The PC I’m planning on using is a Lenovo M91P. It has an i5 2400 running at 3.1GHz. It also has 16gb of RAM.

[SteelRush]

I will check out those other R5 cards. The model # of my TV is KV-36XBR450. The PC I’m planning on using is a Lenovo M91P. It has an i5 2400 running at 3.1GHz. It also has 16gb of RAM.

I run an i5-2400 w/ R5 240 in most of my cabinets.  Only Golden Tee Fore struggles on it.

That TV is best for Gamecube/Dreamcast/Xbox/PS2 era stuff since they support 480p.  If you line double 240p you end up with 480p.  Picture will look okay but no scanlines.  The consumer grade TV of choice for 15khz gaming is the Sony FV310, if you can find one.

[gamepimp]

Good to know that my PC + the R5 240 card combo will be pretty robust and play the majority of the arcade games. I just need to figure out how to interface to the TV. Is a transcoder the way to go or will the video card put out the proper signal that I can just use a DVI to component cable?

I really like the versatility of this TV since it allows me to play older games as well as some of the “newer” stuff like GC, PS2, Wii, etc. The lack of noticeable scanlines isn’t quite as bad as I thought it might be. A lot of emulators let you add CRT effects like that, so I’m hoping I can just use software effects whenever necessary.

[MiteWiseacre]

I’d definitely look for a vga to component converter/ transcoder
I found a great little one but couldn’t pull up the purchase on eBay to see who made it, otherwise I’d recommend it highly.